Former Salvadoran official convicted of immigration fraud in Boston; sought in Spain on war crimes charges

09/11/2012 12:48 PM
Milton J. Valencia, Globe Staff

A former El Salvadoran military commander pleaded guilty today in federal court to lying to immigration authorities so that he could stay in the United States, a move that could aid Spanish authorities who are seeking to have him extradited to that country to face war crimes charges.

Inocente Orlando Montano stood hunched over before US District Judge Douglas P. Woodlock as he entered his pleas through a Spanish interpreter to charges of immigration fraud and perjury. The 70-year-old man’s cane fell as he answered, “Guilty,” to six charges.

Prosecutors are asking that he serve 15 to 24 months in prison, and Woodlock said he may consider during sentencing whether Montano lied on his immigration applications to conceal his alleged war crimes. He slated a sentencing hearing in US District Court in Boston for Dec. 18.

Montano’s lawyer argued that the accusations of a violent military past should have no bearing on the case, and that Montano’s decision to plead guilty will not influence his right to fight extradition to face the charges in Spain.

But human rights organizations said today the latest development in the case brings Montano and others one step closer to being tried for horrendous war crimes against Jesuit priests.

Montano was living in Everett and working in a candy factory under his own name in virtual anonymity before he was identified by human rights groups last year as a former military commander in El Salvador.

The Center for Justice & Accountability alleged he was part of a small group of top commanders who in 1989 plotted the assassination of six Jesuit priests, who were outspoken critics of the military dictatorship. The group filed a lawsuit against the commanders four years ago.

In May of 2011, a Spanish court indicted Montano and 19 other former Salvadoran government and military officials, alleging they orchestrated the slayings of the priests, their housekeeper, and her teenage daughter. Five of the priests were Spaniards.

Former Salvadoran official convicted of immigration fraud in Boston; sought in Spain on war crimes charges - Metro Desk - Local news updates from The Boston Globe